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Backyard waterfalls and other water features make an impressive display, but contractors can charge an equally impressive amount of money to create and install them. Frugal homeowners know that with some creativity and sweat equity they can build the same type of waterfall with very little money. Trade in some time and effort for money in your pocket and build a backyard waterfall to accent your landscaping scheme.

1

Dig a hole in your backyard large enough to hold a plastic storage bin. Alternatively, use a plastic washtub, old drinks cooler or any other vessel that holds at least 10 gallons of water. Dig the hole deep enough so that the top of the bin is level with the ground. Place the bin in the hole.

2

Push a 6-foot piece of vinyl tubing onto the outflow valve of a fountain pump. Set the pump in the bin near one end. Pull the outlet cord and vinyl tubing out of the bin and lay them on the ground on the back side of the hole.

3

Cut a piece of chicken wire that measures 6 inches larger than the hole in both directions, using metal snips. Wear protective gloves, as chicken wire can be very sharp. Thread the loose end of the vinyl tubing through a hole in the chicken wire near one edge. Lay the chicken wire on the ground, covering the hole, with the tubing sticking up above the pump.

4

Make a stack or pile of rocks and stones that you have collected. Use patio stones, pavers, bricks, small boulders or any other objects you find for free. Lay the largest object on one end of the chicken wire, then pile the rest of the objects on top, creating a cascading effect aimed toward the center of the hole. Pull the tubing to the back of this pile and add more stones in back, enclosing the tubing. Secure the end of the tubing with silicone seal to stick it to the top of the stone pile and cut off any excess so that it sticks up only 1 inch above the stones.

5

Fill the bin with water and plug the pump in to test the water pressure and direction. Adjust the rocks in the pile if you need to, in order to direct the flow of water in a pleasing direction.

6

Cover the remainder of the chicken wire with river stones, garden rocks or other found stones from your yard and neighborhood. Make sure the objects cover the chicken wire while allowing water to flow between them and down into the plastic bin.

Things You Will Need

Shovel

10-gallon or larger plastic storage bin

Fountain pump

Vinyl tubing

Electrical outlet (safe for outdoor use)

Chicken wire

Metal snips

Work gloves

Stones

Silicone seal

Large rocks

Tip

Get creative with your waterfall materials for an unusual accent fountain. Pile up garden tools, a gazing ball, large shells or other discarded objects to make a large pile that will look attractive underneath the cascading water.

About the Author

Working in sunny Florida, Anne Baley has been writing professionally since 2009. Her home and lifestyle articles have been seen on Coldwell Banker and Gardening Know How. Baley has published a series of books teaching how to live a frugal life with style and panache.